Book of Love Brings Their Sweet 'Lullaby' to Gramercy Theatre

Damian and I saw Book of Love on their 30th anniversary tour at Highline Ballroom in 2016, so probably wouldn't have gone to last night's 30th anniversary gig for "Lullaby" if my friends' son's band (that I love) hadn't been opening. But they were, so we took the plunge. 

The really great #StrangeNames openers for @bookoflovemusic

A post shared by @ l8dyice85 on Jun 21, 2018 at 5:33pm PDT

With just seconds to spare before (said band) Strange Names went on -- the opener always starts right on time -- Damian and I caught up with our friend Christopher and (Strange Names lead singer) Liam's parents, and quickly got situated. Gramercy Theatre is a great venue for old-timers -- you can stand or sit or a little of both -- and we opted for the former when we found four chairs together. Although the seating area is in the back of the joint, the view is still quite good, thought not nearly as good as taking a load off on a school night. Strange Names -- so named because they are Liam Benzvi (lead vocals/keyboards), Francis Ximenez (guitar/vocals) and Fletcher Aleckson (drums) -- surprised us by doing a mixture of as older favorites as well as songs from their latest album. The single "Into Me" -- which I hear is being used on Netflix's "13 Reasons Why" -- is a modern-day gem. And album track "Rosa" is still my personal favorite. (I love kids who know their musical history enough to channel "Pet Sounds"!)  

Following their well-received set, Book of Love came out and put on a fun show that took the Gen X-heavy crowd back in time -- not unlike the one two years ago but with more focus on their sophomore album, as advertised. Although I didn't know it at the time, singer Susan Ottaviano explained that "Lullaby" was their attempt at a "Sgt. Pepper's" moment, and was influenced by the normal stuff of pop songs (love, less, regret) as well as the harrowing AIDS crisis, which was particularly catastrophic in the New York City art circles in which they ran. Liam's dad (Leslie) and stepmom (Laura) didn't know anything about them, but before leaving after a couple songs, Laura turned to me and said of Susan: "She sounds like Nico and looks like Ann Wilson." (Translation: My kind of heaven!)

Damian and I then went down to get a drink and got flagged over to the VIP seating area by our pal Nora Burns, who is close friends with Susan. Ended up watching the rest of the show with her there, reminiscing about buying the 12-inch single of "Boy" in high school, and falling in love with the band all over again. As a casual fan, I probably didn't need to see Book of Love twice in less than two years. But you never know when these opportunities are going to dry up -- and Strange Names were delightful -- so I'm happy I went.

Witchcraft ...

I always forget how this theater makes me feel so good ...

Song of the Day: 'Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls' by Book of Love

Book of Love is hitting the road again, this time to mark the 30th anniversary of their "Lullaby" album. Although I generally try not to see the same act every time they tour and I saw them in 2016 at the Highline Ballroom -- it was fabulous! -- I'll be going again on June 21 at the Gramercy Theatre in part because my friends' gay son's band, Strange Names, will be the opener! Will I see you there? 

P.S.



Here are the boys -- including openly Indian-style singer Liam Benzvi -- doing one of the best songs off their latest album.

Song of the Day: 'UFO' by Strange Names

Another gem from Strange Names, the electro-pop trio from NYC (by way of Minneapolis). It's from their sophomore LP, "Data," which picks up where 2015's shimmering debut, "Use Your Time Wisely," left off. (They couldn't have pandered more to me if they'd tried with the Beach Boys-flavored "Rosa.") These boys have it all -- smart songs with irresistible hooks, telegenic looks and serious passion for their craft -- yet I'm at a loss as to what the "end game" is for an up-and-coming band anymore. Do they go home to Mom and Dad and brag that their new single got "X number" of streams on Spotify? Or is having one of their songs used in a commercial the equivalent of "making it big" now? (AKA what we used to call "selling out," which is the only way to get a paycheck in this new environment.) Whatever the case may be, here's hoping these guys are around for years to come. They're that good. Learn more HERE.

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On the Rag, Vol. 411

A weekly look at what's making news in the free gay mags:

Next: Broadway Bares goes on demand / Read HERE (slightly unsafe for work).

Get Out!: Meet the Marvelous Wonderettes, appearing now off-Broadway! Read HERE.

Don't f**k anyone who doesn't have books in their apartment / Read HERE.

Next (South Florida): DJ Derek Monteiro screams music -- and more / Read HERE.

Metro Weekly (D.C.): Signature's "La Cage Aux Folles" is a spectacle with heart. And a lot of feathers, sequins and mascara / Read HERE.

QX (London): Jacob Alexander discusses the Positive Project / Online edition HERE.

Rage (SoCal): OC Pride is just around the corner! Read HERE.

Gloss (SF): is ready for pride! / Online edition HERE.

Lavender (Twin Cities): Kathy with the improved hair / Read HERE.

Liam Benzvi, frontman of KIT212 fave Strange Names, on pronouns, eye contact, and feeling free / Read HERE.

The Fight (L.A.): Are you ready for Pride in Wonderland? / Read HERE.

Frontiers (L.A.): The swimsuit issue never disappoints / Read HERE.

46 sexy suits HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Trespassing' by Strange Names

Latest from the Brooklyn transplants, who are playing Mercury Lounge on Oct. 29. Read about the making of the video HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Only Boy' by Strange Names

Saw these boys in their infancy a couple years ago at Mercury Lounge, and now their debut album is finally out and they've captured everything that's good about them live and more. Download now HERE.

On tour this fall:

Song of the Day: 'Ricochet' by Strange Names

From the Brooklyn-via-Minneapolis trio's forthcoming album, "Use Your Time Wisely."

Use Your Time Wisely - Strange Names

Tonight: Strange Names Live at Mercury Lounge

   Strange Names -- the infectious band that provided my Song of the Day last Friday -- will be performing at 8 p.m. tonight at Mercury Lounge. As fate would have it, the band's new video (for "Once an Ocean") premiered today. Enjoy!



Meanwhile, "Luxury Child" came on my iPod on the treadmill today and I can't get it out of my head.

Song of the Day: 'Once an Ocean' by Strange Names

Strange Names are a fun new band with Minneapolis/Brooklyn roots. That I heard about them because one of the members is my friend's stepson should make me feel really old. But the music's so infectious that I'm just going to go to band's Mercury Lounge gig next Thursday (April 18) and pretend like I discovered them myself ... on the Tumblr. Download "Once an Ocean" HERE. Learn more HERE.



"Crazy on the Day" is awfully sweet, too: